Asenath Asenath

Asenath - Definition and Overview

Asenath (אָסְנַת, Standard Hebrew Ásənat, Tiberian Hebrew ʾĀsənaṯ: from Egyptian "Gift of the sun-god"), mentioned in the Book of Genesis, was an Egyptian woman, the daughter of Poti-pherah the priest of On, whom Pharaoh gave to Joseph son of Jacob to be his wife. She bore Joseph two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, who each became patriarchs of their own tribes of Israel.

According to the Jewish midrashim, Asenath is believed to be the daughter of Dinah from her rape by Shechem (Biblical person). Some believe that divine providence led her to adoption into Egypt and marriage to Joseph. This does not appear to be a widespread Abrahamic tradition.

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